Visiting a Cocteau Fantasy in the South of France

Visiting a Cocteau Fantasy in the South of France

By Annemarieke van Drimmelen | Sep 30, 2024

Explore Santo Sospir, a villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France, where socialite and patron Francine Weisweiller famously invited Jean Cocteau to "tattoo" the walls with mythological scenes, providing a captivating setting for this season’s standout fashion.

Styling by Katelyn Gray

Explore Santo Sospir, a villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France, where socialite and patron Francine Weisweiller famously invited Jean Cocteau to "tattoo" the walls with mythological scenes, providing a captivating setting for this season’s standout fashion.

Styling by Katelyn Gray

Clockwise from top left: Schiaparelli earrings; one of Cocteau’s monochrome mosaics; morning meditation; a mural of the myth of Apollo amplifies the villa’s Mediterranean ambiance; stairs connecting the hairpin bends of Cap Ferrat.

Artistic Aura

Model Aivita Mūze wears an Issey Miyake knit dress; Falke socks and stylist’s own shoes (both worn throughout).

Notes on elegance

Proenza Schouler top and skirt.
Opposite: One of Cocteau’s final additions to the villa—an Aubusson tapestry portraying the story of Judith and Holofernes overlooks the dining room. In 2016, property developer and Francophile Ilia Melia acquired the villa and has undertaken a restoration program to preserve the historic structure and grounds.

Mythic motifs

Top left: Proenza Schouler top.
Bottom right: Chanel jacket and vintage beaded necklace from The Society Archive.

Ferragamo dress.

Visual poetry

Left: Akris jacket, shirt and trousers.
Right: Bottega Veneta top and skirt.

Left: Vintage beaded necklace from The Society Archive.

Creative brief

Right: Giorgio Armani vest and trousers; Sophie Buhai choker and pendant necklace.

Symbolic style

Myth and memory connect; a quick dip. A winged angel holds a single poppy—the only mural in the villa executed in oil paint. Prada dress and shorts, necklace from New York Vintage and vintage necklace from The Society Archive.

Bronze breast covers from New York Vintage.

Cocteau’s canvas

Chanel jacket and trousers; vintage necklace from The Society Archive; and Ann Demeulemeester belt from Artifact New York.

Production credits:
Model, Aivita Mūze at Viva London; hair, Diego Da Silva; makeup, Irena Ruben; production, Purview and 360PM.

Sotheby’s Magazine

About the Author

Annemarieke van Drimmelen

More from Sotheby's

Whisky & Spirits

Macallan: The Complete Collector's Guide

Van Cleef & Arpels Ring

Van Cleef & Arpels Ring

Take a Closer Look at Rare and Collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Rings

Sotheby’s Magazine

Collector’s Couch: Why do we form emotional attachments to our collections?

Bordeaux Wine: An Essential Guide to the Key Communes

Chinese Paintings – Classical

Rare Imperial Calligraphy — Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion by Song Dynasty Emperors Renzong and Gaozong from the Canton Collection

Chinese Paintings – Classical

Of Reverence and Excellence: The Story of the Poon Family Collection

Learn More about Rare and Collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra

Auction Results

$7M ‘Holy Grails’ Auction Is a Home Run

Sotheby’s Magazine

London’s New Generation of Abstract Painters

The Cartier Crash: A Collector’s Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Vintage Patek Philippe

Handbags & Fashion

Learn More About Our Favorite Rare and Collectible Hermès Constance 18

Stay informed with Sotheby’s top stories, videos, events & news.

Receive the best from Sotheby’s delivered to your inbox.

Back To Top